It's a jungle out there

Published: Thursday, August 22, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 11:38 a.m.

Have you ever watched a nature documentary where a lion or a pack of hyenas stalk another animal but they don't pounce right away?

They got to the top of the food chain by being quite smart.

These hunters watch for a long time from a distance. They crouch down, motionless in the weeds, hidden from sight. They evaluate the situation, searching for the most vulnerable target and the perfect, silent moment of attack.

I'm no wildlife expert, but I know exactly what these predators are looking for. They're singling out the animal that is inexperienced. They're focusing on the animal that is afraid or hurt, the animal that is tired, insecure, confused and alone. Often, that animal is young.

This same phenomenon occurs in the human kingdom, too. Admittedly, today in Henderson County, we aren't at much risk of turning into something's lunch, but it's still "a jungle out there," especially for teens and adolescents.

Every day, young people in our community who are alone, tired, hurt, insecure or confused are at an elevated risk of all sorts of "predators." Not the sinewy beasts of the African savanna, but threats that are more abstract — academic failure, premature sexual activity, alcohol and substance abuse, violence, juvenile crime, childhood obesity and poverty.

According to the CDC's most recent national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 47 percent of teenagers surveyed reported being sexually active. Twenty-three percent have used marijuana, 18 percent smoke cigarettes and 38 percent drink alcohol. All of this is much more dangerous than lions, tigers or bears. It really is a jungle out there, and the club provides a critical sanctuary for kids navigating through it.

"The club gives me the opportunity to exhale," rising freshman Jasmine said of the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County. "I feel safe and welcome here, and I get the chance to put stress and pressure on hold from 3 to 6 every day. It's somewhere that I can just be my age."

Once kids catch their breath, programs and staff meet members exactly where they are with information and strategies for outpacing those lions in the weeds. Club teen Eleanor said programs such as SMART Moves and Girl Talk, both focused on positive personal decision making, help her dodge situations that could result in serious consequences.

"I live right down the street and can look out my door and see all kinds of negative things going on," she noted. "I come to the club to keep myself out of trouble, and have positive people and staff members around. At the club, there are rules. I have to buckle down and listen, but these rules teach me the real-life survival skills that I use in life every day."

On Sept. 12, the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County will host a safari-themed, ladies-only, completely-over-the-top tea party that champions these very real survival skills that children need to grow up safely.

This is a whimsical but powerful gathering. After all, in nature, females are notorious for their ferocity and tenacity, especially when it comes to protecting their young. Simply put, we ladies don't mess around.

"It is wonderful for teen girls at the Boys & Girls Club to know that there is a virtual army of women in this community who are out there cheering them on through all the twists and turns of growing up," remarked Chris Smith, chairwoman of the 2013 High Tea. "We're behind them every step of the way and want to help them cross that finish line as productive, caring, responsible citizens."

<p>Have you ever watched a nature documentary where a lion or a pack of hyenas stalk another animal but they don't pounce right away? </p><p>They got to the top of the food chain by being quite smart. </p><p>These hunters watch for a long time from a distance. They crouch down, motionless in the weeds, hidden from sight. They evaluate the situation, searching for the most vulnerable target and the perfect, silent moment of attack. </p><p>I'm no wildlife expert, but I know exactly what these predators are looking for. They're singling out the animal that is inexperienced. They're focusing on the animal that is afraid or hurt, the animal that is tired, insecure, confused and alone. Often, that animal is young. </p><p>This same phenomenon occurs in the human kingdom, too. Admittedly, today in Henderson County, we aren't at much risk of turning into something's lunch, but it's still "a jungle out there," especially for teens and adolescents. </p><p>Every day, young people in our community who are alone, tired, hurt, insecure or confused are at an elevated risk of all sorts of "predators." Not the sinewy beasts of the African savanna, but threats that are more abstract — academic failure, premature sexual activity, alcohol and substance abuse, violence, juvenile crime, childhood obesity and poverty. </p><p>According to the CDC's most recent national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 47 percent of teenagers surveyed reported being sexually active. Twenty-three percent have used marijuana, 18 percent smoke cigarettes and 38 percent drink alcohol. All of this is much more dangerous than lions, tigers or bears. It really is a jungle out there, and the club provides a critical sanctuary for kids navigating through it. </p><p>"The club gives me the opportunity to exhale," rising freshman Jasmine said of the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County. "I feel safe and welcome here, and I get the chance to put stress and pressure on hold from 3 to 6 every day. It's somewhere that I can just be my age."</p><p>Once kids catch their breath, programs and staff meet members exactly where they are with information and strategies for outpacing those lions in the weeds. Club teen Eleanor said programs such as SMART Moves and Girl Talk, both focused on positive personal decision making, help her dodge situations that could result in serious consequences.</p><p>"I live right down the street and can look out my door and see all kinds of negative things going on," she noted. "I come to the club to keep myself out of trouble, and have positive people and staff members around. At the club, there are rules. I have to buckle down and listen, but these rules teach me the real-life survival skills that I use in life every day."</p><p>On Sept. 12, the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County will host a safari-themed, ladies-only, completely-over-the-top tea party that champions these very real survival skills that children need to grow up safely. </p><p>This is a whimsical but powerful gathering. After all, in nature, females are notorious for their ferocity and tenacity, especially when it comes to protecting their young. Simply put, we ladies don't mess around.</p><p>"It is wonderful for teen girls at the Boys & Girls Club to know that there is a virtual army of women in this community who are out there cheering them on through all the twists and turns of growing up," remarked Chris Smith, chairwoman of the 2013 High Tea. "We're behind them every step of the way and want to help them cross that finish line as productive, caring, responsible citizens."</p>